Friday, February 1, 2013

Francophile Friday: Religieuse Habit

Hello, February! I could hug you ~ though your continued heat and humidity will make for a steamy embrace. {In the right company, that can be quite a nice thing...} Anyhoo, as January is typically the month for breaking self-defeating habits and creating healthier ones, this little pastry treat is served up as a reminder to keep your eye on the prize now that we're a month down the track. {It could be a crumby reminder if cutting pastries is one of your goals by reason of insanity. Let's not go there...} This pretty morsel is a Religieuse, which means 'nun's habit' because it's said to resemble one. I chose mint and violet because ~ well, it's a girl's perogative. And I imagine the nuns would like a change.

And I'm going to be very lazy today and not even vaguely attempt to give you the story about its creation in 1855 by pastry maestro Frascati, because I know a tough act to follow ~ and Adam at Paris Pâtisseries is one witty cookie. Hop over and have a read, and step away from your cup of tea or coffee before you do. {Your keyboard and monitor will thank me later.} When you're ready, let's meet for a five tiered stand of these treats. Keep your linen napkins at the ready to catch any pastry flakes, as we're glamming it up this time, being our first Parisian get together for 2013 and all. And on that note...

Aaah, my fave over-the-top French pastry. Merci, ma belle—and also for the link. Since a picture is worth a thousand words but nary a single calorie, I can devour that beauty with my eyes and not gain an ounce. C'est parfait!

When Holly and I were in Paris in October, we saw a man in the 15ème eating a pastry under an awning in the pouring down rain. I could not see it very well but he was almost moaning as he devoured the whole thing. I asked him what it was and where he had found it...

Holly and I at least shared one and proceeded to do the same. It would never have made it back to the apartment!

Adam has a very nice job eating all the pastries in Paris! I love his site and have used his lists for my pastry hunt.

I've never heard of this pastry either. I figured its name originated from the religious experience it evoked upon indulging. From Genie's description, perhaps that's not far from the truth. I am looking forward to glamming it up in mint with you in Paris!

Thanks, Darjeeling ~ it's so lovely to see you again! Happy birthday for whichever day this month you're celebrating.

Petrea ~ I can't believe yours is just around the corner again. They are already selling hot cross buns in supermarkets here. Could they not at least have the respect to wait until they've finished exploiting Valentine's Day?

Genie ~ so, did you flip a coin to decide who had the larger piece? I love the way Adam describes it as 'treat yourself to the baby as your dessert's dessert.'

Susan ~ that's what I thought about the name when I first heard it, too. Sounds like it has an appropriate double meaning. As for our get together, I was going to mint match, but since you love my new dress, so much ... I might trade the gumboots for glass slippers, though, in case Hugh's around. Just temporarily. ;)